Hi, I would like to ask if anyone knows any way around swirling winds? I have the opportunity to hunt at the top of a draw which has wild boar and roe deer using it. The only problem is the wind or breeze. It swirls, coming first from one direction and then another. The draw is in some woods and falls away getting deeper as it goes further away. Has anyone any ideas as to how to effectively hunt this area in the evenings? Many thanks, Colin
if the wind is swirling it's pretty much a waste of time. i have a draw that sounds similar to yours. great spot with lots of sign but the wind swirls almost constantly. i think that's why that spot is so good. they can be there in almost complete security knowing the wind will let them know of anything coming.
be patient and wait for a day where the weather is blowing hard from one direction and try it then.
The only option is an enclosed ground blind. Combined w an ozonics can work
See if there is a way to hunt heavy sign leading into the draw. Or you may be able to elevate yourself on the edge and have your scent blow out. Tough places to hunt usually are pummeled with sign as Ozzy stated
Evening hunts in an area like that are difficult as the thermals are also drawing air down. Buy yourself some cheap smoke bombs and let off at different locations. Then you can see exactly what the air is doing.
Just a thought but does the rain affect the swirling of the wind in any way - kind of dampens it down so it doesn't swirl so much?
Many thanks for your help guys
I have a spot very similar to what you are explaining.
Only 2 scenarios where I'll hunt it.
First one is I wait until we have a storm front approaching. This gives me a more direct wind which funnels up the draw and forces the air on the hill side upwards as the main body of air moves through draw. When this happens I approach my stand from the top since it is placed above the main trail.
Second Scenario is I wait for a dead calm day/evening and I'll slip In from the bottom of the draw late in the afternoon and hang a stand below the main trail. As the evening cools the thermals start to drift downward into the draw and creates a perfect setup.
It's very difficult for sure. Sometimes if the wind is blowing pretty hard and steady it's less likely to be swirling.
I have run across one scenario that, at least a little, sometimes lessens the outcome of swirling wind. I have hunted a few places that have houses, farms, etc. surrounding an area. Deer are accustomed to human smell pretty much all the time, so they don't always bolt at the first whiff. However, they notice, and they pay attention. I think they can often judge distance when they pick up an odor. They are always wary, but they still pass through these areas. The problem is, they pattern us extremely well, just as well as we pattern them. Hunting them is not easy, but it is possible.